church today - Diocese of Alexandria

CHURCH
Volume XLV, No. 10
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Serving the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana Since 1970
ON THE
INSIDE
Extraordinary Synod
of Bishops on the Family
comes to a close
Dialogue about issues facing
today’s family has come to a close
-- ending a historic two-week Extraordinary Synod of Bishops.
More than 250 people from around
the world, each appointed by
Pope Francis, participated including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious order reps, and lay people.
While no definitive conclusions
were made, the dialogue will be
used to set the agenda for the next
meeting of bishops to be held at
the Vatican in October 2015. Read
more about the issues discussed
on pgs. 2-3.
This year’s All Saints
Day is not a Holy Day of
Obligation
Because this year’s All Saints
Day falls on a Saturday, the
obligation to attend Mass has been
aborgated (lifted). But All Souls
Day is on Sunday, Nov. 2 -- a day
when Catholics are obligated to
pray for the dead. Find out more
about All Souls Day and why it is
important to pray for those who
have passed on -- page 11.
TODAY
Extraordinary
Synod of Bishops
comes to a close
Agenda for next year’s synod will
come from dialogue of this year’s
Extraordinary Synod
October 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 2
OCTOBER 20, 2014
Historic Extraordinary Synod of Bishops comes to a close
Archbishop Kurtz hopes synod’s final report will ‘refine and clarify’
By Francis X. Rocca
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS)
-- Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
of Louisville, Kentucky, said
he hoped the final report of the
Synod of Bishops on the family
would improve on the assembly’s
midterm report in celebrating exemplary families, encouraging
missionary outreach and emphasizing that the church’s pastoral efforts must be grounded in
Scripture and Catholic teaching.
The archbishop, president of
the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops, spoke to reporters Oct.
15 about the process of recommending amendments to the
midterm report, which Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest delivered two
days earlier.
Cardinal Erdo’s address
stirred controversy inside and
outside the synod hall with its
strikingly conciliatory language
toward people in situations contrary to church teaching, including divorced and civilly remarried
Catholics, cohabitating couples
and those in same-sex unions.
The initial report stated, “In
regard to homosexuality, there
was noted the need for welcoming, with the right degree of prudence, so as not to create the impression of a positive valuation
of that orientation,” the summary
said. “It was hoped that the same
care would be taken in regard to
cohabitation.”
Many members of the synod
objected to that statement, saying
it did not accurately reflect the assembly’s views.
Another part of the first report that Bishops objected to was
the report’s scarce references to
the concept of sin, and encouraged the assembly to emulate the
“prophetic tone of Jesus, to avoid
the risk of conforming to the
mentality of today’s world.”
Some members of the synod
made their objections public.
U.S. Cardinal Raymond L.
Burke, prefect of the Supreme
Court of the Apostolic Signature,
told Catholic World Report that
the midterm report “advances po-
Editor’s Note -- The discussions on these two pages show only
what was discussed during the family synod. Nothing on these
two pages are definitive conclusions. Pope Francis used the
synod to LISTEN to what people are saying. The Synod in
October 2015 will generate proposals for the pope’s approval.
sitions which many synod fathers
do not accept and, I would say,
as faithful shepherds of the flock
cannot accept. Clearly, the response to the document in the discussion which immediately followed its presentation manifested
that a great number of synod fathers found it objectionable.”
Cardinal Burke accused
leaders of the synod of giving the
public a distorted image of the
proceedings, almost all of which
are closed to the press.
“All of the information regarding the synod is controlled
by the General Secretariat of the
synod, which clearly has favored
from the beginning the positions
expressed” in the midterm report,
the cardinal said. “You don’t have
to be a rocket scientist to see the
approach at work, which is certainly not of the church.”
Archbishop
Stanislaw
Gadecki of Poznan, Poland, president of the Polish bishops’ conference, told Vatican Radio that
Cardinal Erdo’s speech was not
acceptable to many synod fathers,
because it departed from the
theology of St. John Paul II and
reflected an ideology hostile to
marriage by seeming to approve
of same-sex couples raising children, among other ways.
The midterm report “should
be an incentive to fidelity, family
values, but instead seems to accept everything as it is,” the arch-
bishop said.
The controversy over the report prompted the synod’s General Secretariat to issue a statement
Oct. 14, lamenting that a “value
has been attributed to the document that does not correspond to
its nature” and emphasizing that
it is a “working document, which
summarizes the interventions and
debate of the first week, and is
now being offered for discussion
by the members of the synod.”
Following the cardinal’s address, the 191 synod fathers split
into 10 discussion groups organized by language. Archbishop
Kurtz was one of 18 bishops
in his English-speaking group,
which also included Cardinal
Donald W. Wuerl of Washington,
one of nine members assigned to
draft the synod’s final report.
The archbishop said his group
completed its work that morning,
a half-day ahead of schedule, and
had arrived at its recommendations with “great unanimity.”
Archbishop Kurtz said the
Continued on pg. 10
What was the purpose of the
Extraordinary Synod of Bishops?
The purpose of the Extraordinary Synod
was not to reach definitive conclusions,
but to use the dialogue to set the agenda
for the next meeting of bishops
to be held at Vatican in October 2015.
That meeting will generate proposals
for the pope’s approval.
Pope Francis poses with
auditors of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on
the family as he arrives for the
afternoon session at the Vatican Oct.
10. Pictured next to the pope are
Italian Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri,
general secretary of the Synod of
Bish ops, and Archbishop Vincenzo
Paglia, president of the Pontifical
Council for the Family. (CNS photo)
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OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 3
Synod fathers ask: Does the Church need to watch its language?
Emerging theme calls for more appropriate language for today’s pastoral care
By Francis X. Rocca
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -In official reports of the closeddoor talks at the Synod (sin-id) of
Bishops on the family, an emerging theme has been the call for a
new kind of language more appropriate for pastoral care today.
“Language appeared many,
many times,” Basilian Father
Thomas Rosica, the briefer for
English-speaking journalists, told
reporters Oct.7, the assembly’s
second working day. “There’s
a great desire that our language
has to change in order to meet
the very complex situations the
church faces.”
One bishop, whom Father
Rosica did not name in accordance with synod rules, reportedly told fellow participants that
“language such as ‘living in sin,’
‘intrinsically disordered’ or ‘contraceptive mentality’ are not necessarily words that invite people
to draw closer to Christ and the
church.” (“Intrinsically disordered” is a term used by the Catechism of the Catholic Church to
describe homosexual acts.)
Speaking to the synod Oct. 7,
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of
Dublin spoke of the need for new
language with which to communicate with married couples.
“To many, the language of
the church appears to be a disincarnated language of telling
people what to do, a one-way dialogue,” the archbishop said, according to excerpts of his remarks
published by the Irish bishops’
conference. “The lived experience and struggle of spouses can
help find more effective ways of
expression of the fundamental elements of church teaching.”
Following the same session,
Pope Francis listens as Italian Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, left,
speaks during the morning session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican Oct. 13. At right
is Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary, relator for the synod. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier of
Durban, South Africa, told Catholic News Service that “language
is something we’ve overlooked
for a good while; we’ve used language that is out of touch with the
way people speak today.”
“In the past, it was sufficient
to say to people, ‘You are going
to hell if you continue this way of
life.’ Hell was a reality and it was
something they knew and they understood it. But if you talk about
hell today, people don’t know
what you are talking about,” Cardinal Napier said. “So I think the
emphasis is shifting (toward),
‘how can you be in a loving relationship with Jesus, and through
Jesus with your brother and sister in the church, if you are living
in this condition which separates
and alienates you from Jesus?”
German Cardinal Walter
Kasper, whose controversial
proposal to make it easier for
divorced and civilly remarried
Catholics to receive Communion
has been a major topic of discussion at the synod, told CNS Oct.
1 that a traditional description of
such couples as practicing “perpetual adultery” is not acceptable
in a pastoral context.
“If you tell people who live
in this way and they do it in a
responsible way, tell them that
adultery, permanent adultery, I
think they would feel insulted
and offended. We must be very
careful also in our language,”
Cardinal Kasper said in English.
“Permanent adultery? It seems to
me too strong.”
Bishop Johann Bonny of Antwerp, Belgium, is not a member
of the synod, but in September
he published a widely read essay
calling on the assembly to initiate
a range of major changes in the
church, including in its language,
which he argued is often “offensive” and “humiliating.”
Couples living together outside of marriage, using contraception or resorting to in vitro
fertilization -- all activities prohibited by Catholic moral teaching -- “deserve more respect and a
more nuanced evaluation than the
language of certain church documents appears to prescribe. The
mechanisms of accusation and
exclusion they have the potential
to activate can only block the way
to evangelization,” Bishop Bonny
wrote.
The synod heard an example
of newer language Oct. 6, when
two non-voting auditors told Pope
Francis and the rest of the assembly that Catholic parishes should
welcome same-sex couples.
In their remarks, Ron and
Mavis Pirola used the word “gay,”
rather than “homosexual person,”
which has been the preferred term
in official Vatican discourse. The
Pirolas may have taken their cue
from the pope, who famously
used the word “gay” during an
inflight news conference in July
2013.
The Pirolas also said much of
the church’s teaching is expressed
in language that seems to be from
“another planet” and “not terribly
relevant to our own experiences.”
Not all synod fathers have
the same idea of what language
the church should adopt or discard.
In remarks to the assembly
Oct. 9, Cardinal Andre VingtTrois of Paris, one of three synod
presidents appointed by the pope,
denounced the “contraceptive
mentality” he said leads many
Catholics to think the use of artificial birth control is not a sin.
Later that day, Cardinal
Vingt-Trois told CNS that, although the church must “find
modes of expression and modes
of communication that will allow
it to announce the good news so
that it may be heard,” changing
pastoral language does not mean
changing the language in which
theologians formulate church
teaching.
“When a physician makes a
diagnosis, he uses terms to designate precisely the disease in
question, but these terms, if he
tells them to the patient, he will
not understand them. Therefore,
he must explain the diagnosis
with words that are not technical
words. In theology, it is the same
thing,” Cardinal Vingt-Trois said.
“When one addresses people
to announce the good news of
Christ, one does not teach a theology course. One tells them the
contents of the theology but with
a vocabulary they can understand,” the cardinal said. “I was
a professor of theology. When
I taught a theology course, I did
not give a sermon; that is another
literary genre.”
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 4
As we move ahead through
the month of October it is good
to take note of the two major observances traditionally associated
with this month -- Respect Life
month and the month of the Rosary.
This year we mark the 800th
anniversary of the gift of the Rosary. I want to thank all of the pastors who held special events commemorating the Rosary month or
the Rosary anniversary these past
few weeks. It is important to pray
the Rosary together as a community -- especially with our young
people and families.
I just returned from Catholic Extension’s biennial meeting
of bishops who are shepherds of
‘mission dioceses.” (A mission
ONE IN
THE LORD
Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog
Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria
diocese refers to an area in which
the church is not yet firmly established and therefore, needs outside assistance. Since our diocese
fits that description, we are a mission diocese.)
Each year we receive significant grant money from this Chicago-based organization to assist
us with essential evangelization
ministries here in the diocese -one of which is the Church Today.
We would have great difficulty
without Catholic Extension’s generous financial assistance in these
areas.
The main focus of the gathering in Chicago was the mission
OCTOBER 20, 2014
of the Church in the light of Pope
Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation:
The Joy of the Gospel. We were
reminded that the core mission of
the Church is evangelization, the
sharing of the good news of salvation in Christ proclaimed to all
people. The mission began with
our baptism and should continue
throughout our lives. Our Holy
Father reminded us that we need
to reach out in a special way to
those on the fringes of society.
I want to offer my personal
condolences and prayerful support on behalf of the entire diocesan family to Father Bruce
Miller who recently experienced
the death of his mother.
Continue to be vigilant in the
area of religious freedom. With
elections just weeks away, we
need to examine all candidates for
all offices in the light of our faith.
It is our responsibility as citizens
to take active roles in pursuit of
the public good.
Let me again add a personal
comment. I have finally been
cleared by my doctor to resume
driving. That will simplify many
things. I do appreciate your ongoing prayers and encouragement.
May the Lord bless all of
you as we approach the celebrations of All Saints and All Souls
in early November.
True ‘reformation’ seeks renewing of the heart and mind
Last year on Reformation
Day (October 31) one of my
cousins mentioned the Protestant
“holiday” on Facebook. It was a
celebratory post. “Happy Reformation Day!”
Reformation Day marks
the beginning of the Protestant
Reformation. It highlights the
Protestant reformers who began
new denominations rather than
remaining within the Catholic Church. I mention it in this
month’s column because many
fallen-away Catholics have basically done the same thing. Some
fallen-away Catholics just stop
practicing any kind of faith, but
many go in search of something
else. There is something they
don’t like, something they want
to see changed, and they are tired
of tapping their feet, waiting for
the Church to see it the way they
see it.
We are a people who want
change, we want it now, and
we’d really like it if the Catholic
Church agreed with our point of
view. When we realize that isn’t
likely to happen, we are out the
door and on a mission to find the
faith community that sees truth as
we see it.
Truth is unchanging (Psalm
199:160). Sure, new things come
up now and then, and Mother
Church knows that a definitive
Catholic
By Grace
Denise Bossert
Freelance -- Denisebossert.com
answer on the things the culture
proposes must be weighed carefully. She consults Sacred Scripture and Church Tradition and
faithful theologians. She gathers
the input of bishops from all over
the world. She ponders the entire
deposit of wisdom given to her by
the Holy Spirit.
The frustrated one doesn’t
have time for all that waiting,
pondering, and praying.
I’m a preacher’s daughter and
a convert to the Catholic faith. It
provides an interesting point of
view. Christian division grieves
me. I simply cannot celebrate the
genesis of denominationalism. I
affirm the good I see in those of
other faith communities, of those
who, through no fault of their
own, find themselves outside the
Church (CCC #818 and #848).
But Reformation Day? No, I see
nothing to celebrate in that.
Why celebrate Christian division? Why delight in the fact that
so many have gone a different
way and left the Sacraments behind - the Eucharist behind?
We know that Christian division hurts. We know Our Lord
prayed for Christian unity for His
apostles and for those who would
come to believe through their
words (John 17:20). So, what do
we do when we see posts about
Reformation Day or we hear that
someone else has left the Catholic
Church for another faith community?
When we are tempted to get
irritated, frustrated or discouraged, let’s remake it into a day in
which we reform the inner man.
We do a deep and thorough examination of conscience. We do our
own gut check. What do I need
to change? What is out of sorts in
me?
When we are frustrated by
Christian division and a culture
that still holds on to anti-Catholic
bias, let’s call for a day in which
All Saints Day -- Saturday, Nov. 1
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Souls
(All Souls Day) -- Sunday, Nov. 2
we make acts of true reformation
and reparation. Let us reform our
attitudes toward the poor, the unborn, the immigrant, those who
can do absolutely nothing for us.
Let’s figure out what we can do
for them.
Let us reform our dreams
and goals. Let’s put Christ and
His Church at the top of our list.
Let’s reform our silent acceptance
of another’s rejection of the faith.
Let’s determine to seek that one
out and share the joy we have
CHURCH
in our Catholic faith. Let’s pray
with Our Lord, “Father, make us
one.”
For you see, the faith does
not need to be reformed. We need
it. The teachings do not need to
be refabricated, recalibrated. We
need it.
Let’s have a little more renewing of the heart and mind.
Reformation of the inner man.
That is the true reformation that
leads to Christian unity.
TODAY
Volume XLV, No. 10 • October 20, 2014
P. O. Box 7417 • Alexandria, LA 71303
churchtoday@diocesealex.org 318-445-6424
Publisher:
Editor:
Advertising:
Circulation:
Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, Bishop of Alexandria
Jeannie Petrus, ext. 255; jpetrus@diocesealex.org
Joan Ferguson, ext. 264; joanferguson@diocesealex.org
Sandi Tarver, ext. 209; starver@diocesealex.org
THE CHURCH TODAY (USPS 393-240) is published by the Catholic
Diocese of Alexandria, once a month, free of charge to members of
the parishes in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana. Out of diocese
subscriptions are $20 a year.
The office is located at 4400 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303.
Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, LA. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to The CHURCH TODAY, P. O. Box 7417, Alexandria, LA 71306
The CHURCH TODAY is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
Website: www.diocesealex.org
To receive a free subscription, call 318-445-6424, ext 255
or e-mail jpetrus@diocesealex.org
CHURCH TODAY
OCTOBER 20, 2014
PAGE 5
A Novena (means ‘nine’) is nine days of prayer
Nine reasons you may want to consider praying a novena
catholicdoors.com offers a list of 226
Novenas
Advent Novena
All Souls Novena
Novena Before Christmas
Novena for Impossible Requests
Novena for Priests
Novena for the Dead
Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Novena for Marriage and the Family
Novena for the Needs of Pope Francis
Novena for the Protection of the Unborn
Novena for the Salvation of Souls and Conversion of Sinners
Novena, Miraculous 54 Days Rosary
Novena to Our Lady of Good Success
Novena to Our Lady of Hope
Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Novena to Our Lady of Prompt Succor
Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary
Novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots
Novena to St. Anthony of Padua
By Caitlin Bootsma
Consultant to
the VIRTUS® Programs
Many people are not familiar
with novena prayers, but it is a
devotion that has a long history in
the Church.
The practice derives from
the tradition that Mary and the
Apostles waited nine days in the
Upper Room until the Holy Spirit
descended at Pentecost. This was
undoubtedly a time of intense
prayer, leading to the many graces received at the first Pentecost.
Today, novenas are considered to be a set of prayers that are
said over a period of nine days.
Sometimes, like the novena to the
Holy Spirit, novenas are said directly to God. Other novenas are
said asking for the intercession of
Mary or the saints.
While novenas can be prayed
individually, many Catholics
around the world will begin to
pray a novena on the nine days
leading up to a saint’s feast day.
These prayers are often said with
a particular intention in mind,
but, of course, you can pray them
even without praying for anything specific!
Novenas can be a great way
of praying for those to whom that
you minister. Additionally, if you
teach children (or adults!), you
may consider sharing this time-
For more novenas,
go to:
www.praymorenovenas.com
www.catholicdoors.com
www.ewtn.com
honored tradition of the Church
with them.
In honor of the nine days that
novenas are prayed, I offer nine
reasons you may want to consider
praying a novena.
• Revive your prayer life:
Praying a set of prayers for a set
length of time may just be the reminder you need to start praying
daily again.
• Practice spiritual discipline: You might not think it is
difficult to pray for nine days in
a row, but it can be. Remembering to keep the prayers with you
and to pray them consistently will
strengthen you in the virtue of
perseverance.
• Become familiar with new
saints: There are many novenas
out there. Often the prayers include details about the saints and
their path to holiness. By praying
for their intercession, you may
just find a new friend in heaven.
Novena to St. Francis
Novena to St. Joseph
FORMER SOCIAL SECURITY JUDGE
Novena to St. Jude
PETER J. LEMOINE
Novena to The Holy Angels
Social Security Disability Law
Novena to The Holy Spirit
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Offices in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Cottonport
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MEMBER: Louisiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association,
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P.O. Box 5624
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Phone: (318) 473-8751
Fax: (318) 473-4045
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Donald J. Baker, ACF/RF/CF
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• Live out the liturgical
year: Praying novenas in anticipation of Feast Days is a great
way to enrich your participation
in the liturgical year. How much
richer will your celebration of
the Nativity be if you are praying for the nine days leading up
to Christmas?
• Share the faith with others: Novenas are a great way to
pray with your family; students
or those to whom you minister.
By praying novenas together, you
can unite as a group for a single
intention that is important to all
of you.
• Spend time discerning: If
you are in the midst of making an
important decision, a novena can
be the perfect way to ask God to
make His will known for your
life. People have prayed novenas
about job offers, marriage proposals and where to move.
• Grow closer to the
Church: The practice of novenas is universal. When you pray a
novena, you are joining with men
and women around the world.
• Receive graces: The Lord
wants to shower us with graces.
When we dedicate time to praying novenas, we ask humbly for
those gifts that God has in store
for us.
• Increase in holiness: If our
ultimate goal in life is to reach
heaven, then what could be more
important than growing in a relationship with God? Praying novenas signals your openness to
spending time with Him.
Interested in finding out
about different kind of novenas?
You can find a very comprehensive list here.
Or, if you are really ready
to start praying more novenas,
you can sign up for www.praymorenovenas.com, a website that
delivers novena prayers right to
your email account.
Like us on
Facebook
Diocese of Alexandria
PAGE 6
CHURCH TODAY
OCTOBER 20, 2014
Seminarian Burses
September Donations
ST. ANTHONY CHURCH (Natchitoches) BANK NOTE BURNING. St. Anthony of Padua Church in Natchitoches held
a “bank note burning” celebration Sept. 21 after the 11 a.m. Mass. The congregation watched as Father John O’Brien,
pastor, and Gerry Hooper, head of the Holy Name Society men’s group, torched the bank note for the Activity Hall,
built in 2006. After the bank note disintegrated into ashes, the parishioners celebrated with a potluck dinner in the
Activity Hall. “Thanks to the hard work and generosity of St. Anthony’s parishioners, the men’s group, the Altar Rosary/
Christian Mother’s group, and bingo committee, the hall note was paid in full, two years earlier than anticipated,” said
Father O’Brien.
OLPS LIVING ROSARY. Fr. Dan
O’Connor,
and Fr. Bill
Gearheard lead the Living Rosary on
Oct. 7. The student body and faculty/staff began at the steps of OLPS
school on 21st Street and walked to
the OLPS church while saying the
Rosary, where a special Adoration
service took place. Each year, OLPS
School takes part in this wonderful
tradition. Prayer is an important part
of the daily life at OLPS School, so to
be able to go outside on a beautiful
day and truly experience and enjoy
God’s gifts as the Rosary is prayed
is a blessing.
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Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon L. G. Deloach Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Ray Gibson Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Greg LeBlanc Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Todd Marye Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Pat McCusker Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Richard Mitchell Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Ted Moulard Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Clifford Pelto Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Gary Schupbach Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Bill Shaidnagle Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon William Travis Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon John Whitehead Burse
Anonymous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
Deacon Mike Young Burse
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,840.00
A Seminary Burse is an invested sum of money, the interest of
which is used in perpetuity to help fund the education of men to
the priesthood. It may be named for anyone – bishop, priest, religious, or lay person – by the original donor, and can be added
to and allowed to grow.
Contributions to any of the burses or to establish a new burse
should be sent to the
Diocese of Alexandria Chancery Office
P.O Box 7417,
Alexandria, LA 71306-0417
OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
CLERGY RETREAT. Approximately 30 priests from around the diocese gathered Sept. 29 - Oct. 3 at Maryhill Renewal
Center for the annual Priest Retreat. Priests are required to attend at least one retreat a year, (either in the diocese or
away). Father Tom Boyer was the guest speaker.
PAGE 7
ST. RITA CHURCH (Alexandria) VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR. Florence
Sanders received the St. Rita Volunteer of the Year award presented during
the annual volunteer luncheon held Sept. 28. Florence has been a volunteer
for many years serving in many different ministries. Congratulations Flo!
ROSARY RALLY. Madeline White, from OLPS parish in Alexandria, hosted an “America Needs Fatima” Rosary Rally
on Oct. 11. Neighborhood friends and family joined her in praying the Rosary outside.
CONFIRMATION AT ST. MARY’S TRAINING FACILITY. Bishop Ronald Herzog administered the sacrament of Confirmation to four residents at St. Mary’s
Training Facility on Oct. 12. Pictured are (l-r) Andrew, Cole, Daniel, and Cole
with their sponsors. Sister Linda Norsworthy, OLS is St. Mary’s director of
Religious Education and Mrs. Vel Wallet is the catechist/confirmation teacher.
Sister Mavis Champagne, administrator of St. Mary’s and Deacon E.J. Barre
also participated in the Confirmation Mass.
Hunting season is here. Are you ready?
2914 N. Bolton Ave. • Alexandria, LA
442-2325
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 8
OCTOBER 20, 2014
Construction of N.O. Planned Parenthood
abortion facility brought to a standstill
Since June 26, 2014, the
Planned Parenthood in progress
sitting on Claiborne Avenue in
New Orleans has remained untouched. That’s because protests
and pesky violations have brought
construction to a standstill.
The planned 8,000 squarefoot facility could perform up to
30 abortions a day and Benjamin
Clapper, the executive director
of Louisiana Right to Life, said
Louisianans are rejecting Planned
Parenthood’s agenda.
Even though the organization has tried to use misleading
wording to describe the purpose
of their new multimillion dollar
building, companies aren’t being
fooled. Clapper told Townhall:
“Planned Parenthood has
appealed to contractors across
south Louisiana to build what
they describe only as a “medical office building.” They never
mention abortion, and rarely do
you see the words “Planned Parenthood” on proposals, plans,
or other documents. But even
with this deception, people have
learned who Planned Parenthood
is and what they truly want to do
on Claiborne Avenue: sell more
abortions. Louisiana is a pro-life
state, and people want little to do
with facilities that sell abortion.”
Of the contractors Planned
Parenthood did manage to hire,
two of them have been cited for
violations. Documents provided
NO WORKERS on the construction site of the Planned Parenthood abortion
facility in New Orleans have delayed the project.
by Clapper revealed that one
contractor, Barre McNeely, used
an unlicensed name; and a subcontractor, Quality Diamond
Products, LLC, wasn’t licensed
for work in Louisiana. As a result, these companies received
thousands of dollars in fines.
As if construction violations
weren’t enough, the New Orleans
Planned Parenthood is also dealing with a lack of enthusiasm.
Take, for instance, the organization’s scarcely attended job fair:
“Planned Parenthood invited
over 500 companies to a job fair
to recruit them to help the construction of their abortion facil-
ity. At most, 40 people showed
up.”
Forty too many. In fact, it
seems most people who have
shown up to the site have done
so to protest. Louisiana has been
named the “most pro-life state” in
the nation for the past five years
by Americans United for Life. Is it
any wonder residents are distancing themselves from Planned Parenthood’s doors?
Here’s hoping construction is
delayed – forever.
LifeNews Note: Cortney
O’Brien is a Townhall web editor, where this was originally published.
The 2014 Fall 40 Days for Life campaign (Sept. 24- Nov. 2) is more
than halfway finished and results, so far, are super impressive!
The campaign is simple. For 40 days, prayer groups stand outside an abortion facility and pray and have pregnacy information and
resources available nearby.
“Saves” (babies that were not aborted when a mother went to an
abortion facility and then changed her mind) have been reported in many
of the campaign cities so far. Since 2007, when the campaign first started, the organization claims their efforts have prevented 8,973 abortions,
leading to the closure of 54 abortion clinics.
The latest report came from Shreveport, Louisiana:
“What a day!” said Chris, the 40 Days for Life coordinator in Shreveport. “We had two women who said they were going to have their babies,” he excitedly explained. “Yeah that’s right – two saves!”
There was another woman who arrived for a pregnancy test, but
she never entered the abortion facility. She instead visited the pregnancy resource center nearby.
“So all in all, that’s three turnaways!” Chris said. “Thanks to all who
are praying from home and on the sidewalk.”
Other “40 Days of Life” campaigns were also conducted in Baton
Rouge and New Orleans. The campaign ends on Nov. 2.
The name refers to a pattern of several events lasting for 40 days
repeated in the Bible, such as in Noah’s Ark, Moses’ 40 days on Mount
Sinai, and Jesus’s 40 days in the desert.
Statement of Ownership,
Management and Circulation
The Church Today • 393-240 • Sept. 30, 2014
Monthly, Free of Charge
4400 Coliseum Blvd.
Alexandria, LA 71303 • (318) 445-2401
Publisher:
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4400 Coliseum Blvd. • Alexandria, LA 71303
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Average no. of copies each issue No. of copies of single issue
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OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 9
October is Respect Life Month
Pope: Greed, throwaway culture fuel ‘hidden euthanasia’ of elderly
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -Pope Francis warned against the
abandonment and neglect of the
elderly, calling it a “hidden euthanasia” rooted in today’s “poisonous” culture of disposal and an
economic system of greed.
In the presence of his predecessor, Pope Francis also thanked
retired Pope Benedict XVI for
staying to live at the Vatican and
being like “a wise grandfather at
home.”
“A people who don’t take
care of their grandparents and
don’t treat them well is a people
with no future. Why no future?
Because they lose the memory (of
the past) and they sever their own
roots,” he said.
The pope’s comments came
during a special encounter and
Mass for older people in St. Peter’s Square Sept. 28. Some
40,000 grandparents, retired men
and women, and their families attended “The Blessing for a Long
Life” event, organized by the
Pontifical Council for the Family.
Pope Francis specifically invited Pope Benedict to attend the
event, making it the third time
since his retirement in 2013 that
the German pontiff has made a
rare appearance in public with his
successor.
WOMAN EATS LUNCH AT HOME FOR ELDERLY. An 89-year-old lady, eats her lunch by a window at a home for
the elderly. Pope Francis warned against the abandonment and neglect of the elderly, calling it a “hidden euthanasia.”
(CNS photo/Debbie Hill)
Carrying a cane and looking strong, the 87-year-old pope
arrived about one hour into the
event, which featured music and
testimonies from families. About
10 minutes later, while the famed
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang
“Con te partiro” (“I’ll Go With
You”), Pope Francis made his
entrance with a small group of
families. He immediately went to
greet and embrace Pope Benedict,
who only stayed for the next hour,
leaving before the start of Mass.
Addressing him as “Your
Holiness,” Pope Francis thanked
the retired pontiff for his presence, telling the crowd, “I really
like having him living here in the
Vatican, because it’s like having a
wise grandfather at home.”
The wisdom and love of
older people are instrumental for
building the future, and they can
even cheer up grumpy teenagers,
the pope said.
“It’s very good for you to go
visit an older person. Look at our
kids. Sometimes we see them being listless and sad; (if) they go
visit an older person, they become happy,” he said.
“Older people, grandparents
have an ability to understand very
difficult situations, a great talent.
And when they pray about these
situations, their prayers are strong
and powerful.”
But there are many who instead prey on their fragilities,
and the pope warned against the
“inhuman” violence being waged
against the elderly and children in
areas of conflict.
Harm can also be waged quietly, he said, through many forms
of neglect and abandonment,
which “are a real and true hidden
euthanasia.”
People need to fight against
“this poisonous throwaway culture,” which targets children,
young people and the elderly, on
“the pretext of keeping the economic system ‘balanced,’ where
the focus is not on the human being but on the god of money.”
While residential care facilities are important for those who
don’t have a family who can care
for them, it’s important these institutes be “truly like homes, not
prisons,” the pope said, and that
their placement there is in the best
interest of the older person, “not
someone else.”
These retirement homes
should be like “sanctuaries” that
breathe life into a community
whose members are drawn to
visit and look after the residents
like they would an older sibling,
he said.
PAGE 10
Synod
Continued from pg. 2
group’s proposed changes had
three basic purposes: “to highlight the importance of the witness of sacrificial, loving families
today,” to encourage a missionary
spirit of “reaching out and accompanying people, starting where
people are,” and “to locate clearly
our pastoral avenues and pastoral
outreach ... within the beauty of
sacred Scripture and our church
teaching.”
Asked about the midterm
report’s call for the church to
recognize the “positive reality”
of non-marital unions when they
reflect “authentic family values,”
the archbishop said his group had
sought to “refine and clarify what
that means.”
When the church reaches out
to someone, he said, it begins by
“pointing to positive elements
that are already in that person’s
life or that person’s relationship
that will accompany them. It’s not
a way of denying but rather it’s a
way of amplifying the beauty of
our church teaching.”
Archbishop Kurtz said his
group agreed that “we have to do
a better job” in proclaiming “Humanae Vitae,” the 1968 encyclical by Pope Paul VI that affirmed
the prohibition of contraception,
as a “’yes’ to the gift of faithful
love that’s open to life.”
In response to a question
about particular challenges facing American families, the archbishop said “our biggest problem
is that individuals in the United
States are tempted to feel that
they are the mercy of statistics.”
Americans need a “sense of inspiration,” he said. “We need that to
live full lives, to live loving lives
with others.”
VIRTUS
Training Sessions
• Oct. 23 (Thursday) -- 5:45
p.m., Sacred Heart Church,
Pineville (Youth Center on
Sanders St.)
• Nov. 18 (Tuesday) -- 6 p.m.,
St. Joseph Catholic Center,
Alexandria
To pre-register, go to virtus.org
For more information,
call 318-445-6424 x 213.
CHURCH TODAY
OCTOBER 20, 2014
Synod couple calls for ‘robust, creative’ family programs
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
(CNS) -- Existing diocesan
programs and Catholic organizations aimed at helping Catholic families fulfill their vocation
clearly are not strong enough to
meet modern needs, a Wisconsin
couple told the Synod of Bishops.
“We must develop more
robust and creative methods to
share the fundamental truth that
marriage is a divine gift from
God, rather than merely a manmade institution,” Alice Heinzen
told the synod, reading a speech
she and her husband, Jeff, wrote.
The Heinzens, from the Diocese of La Crosse, were named
synod auditors by Pope Francis
and were chosen to introduce the
work of the synod’s afternoon
discussion on pastoral programs
designed to meet the challenges
facing families. Alice is director
of the diocesan Office for Marriage and Family Life; Jeff is
president of McDonell Catholic
Schools in Chippewa Falls.
The Catholic Church, its parishes and organization need to review “the methods by which we
teach our children about the nature
of human sexuality and the vocation of marriage,” Heinzen said.
In addition, when Catholics talk
about vocations and God’s call to
each of the baptized to serve the
church and humanity, they cannot
speak only of priesthood and religious life. “Marriage should be
included in all programs designed
to explore vocations.”
Presenting marriage as a vocation and the immediate preparation of couples for marriage are
not enough, she said. The church
also needs to review “how we
provide for the aftercare of marriage that can help couples deepen their relationship.”
The Heinzens said they recognize that their parents’ example
and their family life growing up
were major factors in their continuing to be active today; Alice
said she remembers seeing her
father leave early to go to Mass
before work, praying the rosary
together during the month of May
and attending Sunday Mass as a
family.
“To all this we can add our
mothers who reminded us to always love our siblings, to use our
best manners with others, and to
save our pennies to help those
less fortunate,” she said. “Our
homes were schools of love and
virtue and our parents were the
primary educators.”
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., and USCCB president,
talks with Jeff and Alice Heinzen of Menomonie, Wis., as they leave the morning session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
WORKSHOPS
Oct. 24-25
RETROUVAILLE
(For Troubled Marriages)
Retrouvaille
(announced
retro-vi) has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of
disillusionment or misery in their
marriage. This program can help
you too. For confidential information about or to register for the
program to be held on Oct. 24-26
at Maryhill Renewal Center in
Pineville, call 1-800-470-2230
or visit: www.HelpOurMarriage.
com
Nov. 2
MARRIAGE PREP PROGRAM
(For Engaged Couples)
Strong Foundations: A Marriage Preparation Program for
Catholic Couples will be offered
three times during the upcoming
year. All workshops are held on a
Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Nov. 2 -- St. Mary’s Assumption, Cottonport
• Feb. 1 -- Sacred Heart, Pineville
• May 3 -- OLPS, Alexandria
The presenters for this workshop
are Mandi Chapman and Holly
Carbo. To register visit www.
comprehensivetherapygroup.com
or call 318.445.1651.
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE
For Widowed, Separated, Divorced
Widowed, separated or divorced? Don’t know where to
turn? Struggling with grief or
loss?
Beginning Experience is a
weekend away toward a lifetime
of change held 2-3 times a year
at Maryhill Renewal Center in
Pineville. Program helps grieving single-again persons emerge
from the darkness of grief into
the light of a new beginning,
and move into the future with renewed hope. Cost is $185, which
includes two nights’ lodging and
meals.
For more information, about
when the next Beginning Experience will be held, call Martha at
985-226-6458 or Anna at 318452-2678.
USCCB website on Marriage:
www.fouryourmarriage.org
OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 11
All Souls Day is Sunday, Nov. 2
Why do we pray for the dead on All Souls Day?
Often overshadowed by the
two days preceding it, Halloween
(October 31) and All Saints Day
(November 1), All Souls Day
is a solemn feast in the Roman
Catholic Church. It commemorates all of those who have died
and are now are in Purgatory, being cleansed of their venial sins
and the temporal punishments for
the mortal sins that they had confessed and are atoning for before
entering fully into Heaven.
On All Souls Day, we not
only remember the dead, but we
apply our efforts, through prayer,
almsgiving, and the Mass, to their
release from Purgatory.
Historically, the Western tradition identifies the general custom of praying for the dead dating as far back as 2 Maccabees
12:42-46.
The custom of setting apart
a special day for intercession for
certain of the faithful on November 2 was first established by St.
Odilo of Cluny (d. 1048) at his
abbey of Cluny in 998. From
Cluny the custom spread to the
other houses of the Cluniac order, which became the largest and
most extensive network of monasteries in Europe.
The celebration was soon
adopted in several dioceses in
France, and spread throughout the
Western Church. It was accepted
in Rome only in the fourteenth
century. While Nov. 2 remained
How can I celebrate
All Souls Day?
• Go to Mass
• Pray for the faithful departed
• Visit a church
• Visit a cemetery
Plenary Indulgence for
All Souls Day
Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence for a soul in Purgatory
on All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd)
• Piously visit a church to pray for the
faithful departed on Nov. 2
PRIESTS PRAYING FOR PRIESTS. The priests of the diocese gathered Oct. 2 for the annual visit to the Clergy Cemetery located at Maryhill. The priests pray the rosary and place a rose on the tomb of all the priests layed to rest there.
All of the names of the former priests of the diocese are prayed for and mentioned by name.
the liturgical celebration, in time
the entire month of November
became associated in the Western Catholic tradition with prayer
for the departed; lists of names
of those to be remembered being
placed in the proximity of the altar on which the sacrifice of the
mass is offered.
There are two plenary indulgences attached to All Souls Day,
one for visiting a church and another for visiting a cemetery. (The
plenary indulgence for visiting a
cemetery can also be obtained
every day from Nov. 1-8, and, as
a partial indulgence, on any day
of the year.) While the actions are
performed by the living, the merits of the indulgences are applicable only to the souls in Purgatory.
Praying for the dead is a
Christian obligation. In the modern world, when many have come
to doubt the Church’s teaching
on Purgatory, the need for such
prayers has only increased. The
Church devotes the month of
November to prayer for the Holy
Souls in Purgatory, and participation in the Mass of All Souls Day
is a good way to begin the month.
• Say one “Our Father” and the
“Creed” in the visit to the church
• Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail
Mary” for the intentions of the Pope
• Worthily receive Holy Communion
(ideally on the same day)
• Make a Sacramental Confession
within a week of (before or after) All
Souls Day
• that one be free from all attachment
to sin, even venial sin.
PAGE 12
CHURCH TODAY
The St. Mary’s (Natchitoches) Junior High Cheerleaders were
invited to perform at halftime of the LSU game on Sept. 27. The cheerleaders
spent the day with the LSU Tiger Girls practicing for their halftime routine. The
SMJH cheerleaders met cheerleaders from all over the state and shared the
field with them in an unforgettable performance in Death Valley. Pictured from
left to right are:
,
Tiger Girl Jenna,
, and cheer coach Micah Elliott. We are proud of these girls for
representing St. Mary’s.
St. Mary’s (Natchitoches) students elected to State 4-H Board
Positions. Three students from St. Mary’s School in Natchitoches were recently elected to positions on the State 4-H Board. Pictured are
, Food & Fitness Board;
, Fashion Board; and
,
Science, Engineering & Technology Board. Congratulations!
OCTOBER 20, 2014
OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
SACRED HEART SCHOOL (Moreauville) ARCHERY CLUB. Sacred Heart School in Moreauville recently teamed up with the Archery in Louisiana Schools (ALAS) program to begin offering
an Archery Club for students in grades 4-8. ALAS, the state’s version of the National Archery
in School Program (NASP), was developed several years ago to help educators looking for a
way to improve student motivation, attention, behavior, attendance, and focus. The program
develops micro and macro motor skills as well as listening and observation skills. Sacred Heart
PAGE 13
School is the first school in Avoyelles Parish to offer the club. Pictured above (right) are the students
currently participating in the program and (left)
practices “the pull” as coach Joshua
Lemoine uses bow strings to teach the students beginners archery skills in coordination and balance. ALAS participants are eligible to compete in state, national and world tournaments. Joshua and
Raquel Lemoine will serve as coaches for the club. In addition, Sacred Heart School received a grant
recently from the ALAS for equipment for the program.
ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL GARDEN PROJECT. Todd Whatley and Frances Boudreaux,
from the Food Bank’s Good Food Project, let
get their
hands dirty while planting carrot seeds in a raised garden on the the grounds of St. Anthony School in Bunkie. Mrs. Dorothy Juneau’s (far right) 3rd grade class are participating
in the school’s garden project.
ST. Mary’s (Natchitoches) BALLOON RELEASE. 1st graders at St. Mary’s honored
the Blessed Mother on her birthday, (Sept. 8) with a balloon release. After the kids sang
songs and prayed for their loved ones, intentions were written on blue balloons which
were released. After the service, they enjoyed blue sugar cookies and blue punch.
OLPS tshirt design winners: Winners of the OLPS Fall Festival t-shirt design contest are (l-r)
. The final design is at right.
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 14
OCTOBER 20, 2014
Fall Festivals
Oct. 25-26 St. Rita Catholic Church, Alexandria
Saturday: 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. -- gumbo, Halloween costume contest, bingo, games
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. -- Dinners for sale, games, white elephant sale
St. Joseph Parish (Marksville) Family Picnic was held on the Church Hall grounds Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 2
p.m. Activities included musical entertainment, bingo, youth Jupiter Jump and obstacle course with slide, face painting,
duck pond, games, and prizes. BBQ hamburgers & hot dogs, cold drinks, chips, and cookies were served. Approximately 400 people attended this fun and free event.
Nov. 1-2
St. Frances Cabrini Church Cabrini Fest, Alexandria
Saturday: 9 a.m - 6 p.m.
Xtreme Obstacle course run, pancake breakfast, games, food, bingo, silent auction
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. BBQ chicken dinner
Nov. 8-9
Sts. Francis & Anne Church Autumn Fest, Kolin
Saturday: starts at 8 a.m.
5K run/walk, games, crafts, plants, train for kids, lots of fair food, cooking contests, bingo
Sunday: starts after 10:30 a.m. Mass
Position Available:
Development Director
The Diocese of Alexandria is seeking a dynamic professional
for its Director of Development position. Candidates must
possess a minimum of 3 years of direct or related experience
in fundraising, marketing and stewardship and be able to
demonstrate a proven track record of success.
The Church Today is planning to
feature the choirs in our diocese
in the January 2015 issue.
If your choir(s) would like to be
pictured in this special section of
the Church Today, please send
a good clear (high resolution)
picture of your choir(s) to
jpetrus@diocesealex.org
or mail to Church Today,
4400 Coliseum Blvd.,
Alexandria, LA 71303.
The deadline to submit a picture
is Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015.
Experience: Must be proficient in technology, have
the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally
and in writing, and a strong development/fundraising
background. Three years of nonprofit development
experience desired, preferably in church or social service
environment and knowledge of church organization and
procedures. Practicing Catholic strongly preferred.
Education: BS or BA in Communications, Marketing,
or Public Relations or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Send resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements
by November 1, 2014 to: Diocese of Alexandria, ATTN:
Mr. David Brook, P.O. Box 7417, Alexandria, LA 71306-0417.
Diocese of Alexandria
OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
COMMUNION. OLPS parishioners line up to receive Communion during the outdoor Mass held on the OLPS playground at the end of the school’s annual Fall Festival.
DINO DIG. The younger kids enjoyed the Dino Dig, one of the many games
sponsored by the classes.
PAGE 15
Outdoor Mass: Fr. Dan O’Connor celebrates Mass outdoors with Deacon Todd Marye to close the Fall Festival at OLPS.
Clash of Clans.
of Clans in the OLPS Talent Show.
Kids on stage. OLPS students play a balloon game on-stage with Stephanie Laborde, a parent and entertainment chair for the
festival.
perform to Clash
bucking bull. An OLPS student gets tossed from the
the bucking bull.
PAGE 16
CHURCH TODAY
OCTOBER 20, 2014
CARA reports takes closer look at women religious orders
Story of ‘why’ members have declined in past 50 years takes some ‘disentangling’
By Patricia Zapor
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A
longtime trend of declining numbers of women in religious orders
is unpacked a bit in a new study
by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the
Apostolate.
In the report released Oct.
13, the social science researchers
of CARA observed that the demographical story of women religious in the United States takes
some disentangling.
Although past studies have
talked about the rapid decline in
the number of nuns in the country
starting after the Second Vatican
Council, “such studies did not
provide the more nuanced narrative of what decline meant for the
individual religious institutes,”
the report said. “How, for example, did religious institutes respond to declining membership?”
From a peak in 1965 of
181,000, the number of women
religious in the U.S. has steadily
declined to the current 50,000.
That’s about how many sisters
there were in the United States
100 years ago, said the report:
“Population Trends Among Religious Institutes of Women,” by
CARA staffers Mary L. Gautier
and Mark M. Gray, and Erick
Berrelleza, a Jesuit scholastic at
Boston College.
CARA found that as their
numbers declined, some religious
orders reorganized their internal
structures, while others merged
with other religious institutes.
Some have been bolstered by
sisters from other countries or
women who joined a religious
order later in life. Others simply
stopped serving in the United
States.
“In the face of diminishment,” it said, “women religious
have innovated by responding
with new models when old models proved ineffective.”
That’s partly why the report
refers to disentangling, Gautier
said. Some whole institutes disappeared from the Official Catholic
Directory, a reference book published annually, whether by being
folded into another organization,
by leaving the United States or
adapting in another way.
The report pointed to a flaw
in assumptions about the growth
in women’s religious vocations
coming primarily in orders that
are “traditionalist” -- meaning for
example, those whose members
wear a full religious habit -- while
institutes whose members do not
wear a traditional habit are declining.
“One of the most striking
findings regarding new entrants
is that almost equal numbers of
women have been attracted” to
both kinds of religious orders, the
CARA report quoted. Gautier’s
book categorized the two types
of religious orders according to
whether the organizations belong
to one or the other of two leadership organizations, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Council of Major
Superiors of Women.
The LCWR’s member organizations, which account for
about 80 percent of the country’s
women religious, had among
them 73 postulants, 117 novices
and 317 women who had taken
temporary vows in 2009.
Although its member organizations account for a much smaller percentage of the nuns in the
U.S., CMSWR organizations had
about the same number of women
in formation as did LCWR institutes, said Gautier -- 73 postulants, 158 novices and 304 who
had taken temporary vows.
Among other items in the
report, CARA pointed to several
institutes that stood out in the
data for having a “slowing rate of
decline” in number of members.
When the authors dug a bit, they
found that such slowing sometimes was the result of one community absorbing another.
It cited the merger of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield,
Massachusetts, in the mid-1970s
with the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Fall River, Massachusetts.
“It is not that the Sisters of
St. Joseph of Springfield exhibited a sudden increase in new vocations, but rather these two mergers account for the upswing,”
the CARA report said. “In such
cases, the apparent slowing rate
of decline is not related to an increase of new vocations; instead,
it is these mergers that account
for the increases in membership.”
There are some institutes
that show consistent growth even
without such mergers, the report
said.
“These communities do not
exhibit the growth-followed-bydecline pattern and seem to point
to even further expansion into the
foreseeable future,” it said. For
instance, the Religious Sisters of
Mercy of Alma, Michigan, was
established in 1973 with nine
members. The community has
continued to grow gradually, and
its membership will approach 100
by the end of the decade, the report predicted.
In some cases statistically
significant growth actually represents very few people, Gautier
noted.
Six institutes that have been
cited in anecdotes and news reports as evidence of a reversal
of the trend toward decline, have
increased their membership by
a combined total of 267 people
since 1970. That number, the report said, is “too few to have an
effect on the overall picture.”
“Whatever these institutes
have done or are doing is unlikely
to offset losses in the tens of thousands elsewhere. It is simply not
enough.”
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CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 17
Nov. 2-8 is Vocations Awareness Week
LSU-A student answers vocation call to join Little Sisters of the Poor
By Jeannie Petrus
CT editor
For Nicole Orzeck, it wasn’t
a question of if or when, it was
the matter of ‘which one” of the
religious communities she would
join when she became of age to
enter the convent.
“When I was in the 7th grade,
I read a book about Mary and decided then that I wanted to be like
her,” said 22-year-old Nicole,
who graduated from LSU-A this
past fall. “I talked to Father Chad
Partain (at Cathedral at that time),
who inspired me to seek out different religious communities.”
When Nicole was 18 years
old, she entered a cloistered community of Carmelite nuns, but
soon realized that that kind of
lifestyle was not a good fit for her.
She enrolled at LSU-A and
began working on a degree in
nursing. As a frequent visitor to
the LSU-A Catholic Student Center, Nicole confided in Lynn Ray,
the campus minister, about her
desire to enter a religious community.
“Lynn was extremely encouraging and supportive of helping
me to discern my vocation and to
discover the different communities,” she said. “Lynn also put me
in touch with several priests -- Fr.
Kenneth Michiels, Joy Retnazihamoni, John Pardue, and Blake
Deshautelle -- who were also very
supportive.”
Through the process, Nicole
learned that there are a lot of religious communities of women to
choose from, each with a differ-
Are you considering
A Religious Vocation?
Ever wonder if God might be calling you to become a Catholic nun
or sister? Don’t know where to begin now that you feel drawn to
looking into religious life?
1. Pray -- Be open to listening to God. Embrace the possibility of
whatever God has in mind for you.
2. Meet Nuns -- Do you know any real nuns at your parish or
school? Interacting with nuns gives you a chance to begin to
imagine yourself as a nun and to see how it “fits.”
NICOLE ORZECK JOINS LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR. Nicole Orzeck,
from St. Francis Xavier Cathedral parish, is congratulated by Sister Carolyn,
the vocations director for Little Sisters of the Poor, after deciding to join the
religious community located in Mobile, Ala.
ent focus of ministry.
Some of the ministries of the
different religious communities
include schools, hospitals and
medical professions, domestic
and foreign mission work, orphanages, nursing home care and
working with the poor.
After researching several
communities on the internet, and
visiting with local sisters, her
next step was to visit the communities she was interested in. With
the help of Lynn Ray, she traveled
to Mobile, Ala., where she visited
the Little Sisters of the Poor.
“I felt ‘at home’ when I visited the Little Sisters,” she said. “I
felt in my heart that this is where I
am suppose to be.”
“Because my grandmother
had Alzheimer’s and I felt comfortable helping her, I knew I
wanted to continue working with
the elderly,” she said. “I choose
the Little Sisters of the Poor,
because of its ministry with the
elderly, and because ‘it just felt
right.’ ”
As part of her formal discernment, Nicole is currently working
as a CNA (certified nurses aide) at
the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence in Mobile.
She also is living in one of
the community homes, where
3. Talk with a Mentor -- Reach out to a family member or a trusted friend that will be supportive of you while you explore religious
life and this feeling of being called to become a nun.
4. Contact a Religious Community -- You’ll know when it’s the
right time for you to move from learning about religious life to formally exploring it with a specific community.
5. Work with a Vocations Director -- The vocations director of a
particular religious community is the official person who helps you
to get to know the community and to discern God’s call in your life.
6. Join the Community -- Once you and the community have
discerned that yes, in fact, God has called you to one another, you
go through the formal steps of joining. These include: Aspirancy,
Postulancy, Novitiate, First Vows, Final Vows.
she is experiencing first hand, the
prayer, community, and apostolate of the Little Sisters.
By Nov. 1, (if approved) she
could begin her 9-month pos-
tulancy in Illinois, followed by
three years in New York for noviatry and first vows; and final
vows in Rennes, France, where
the Motherhouse is located.
PAGE 18
CHURCH TODAY
OCTOBER 20, 2014
Awakening Retreat (Oct. 31-Nov. 2) open to college-age students
The LSU-A Catholic Student
Organization will be hosting an
Awakening Retreat Oct. 31 - Nov.
2 at Maryhill Renwal Center in
Pineville.
Awakening is a powerful
three-day retreat for college-aged
men and women. Though the retreat is Catholic in nature, it is
open to people of different denominations and faiths who wish
to discover the Christian message
of faith, hope and love.
“People always ask me, ‘Exactly what is an Awakening Retreat?” said Lynn Ray, campus
minister at LSU-A and Louisiana
College. “It’s hard to explain to
someone exactly what it is, so I
usually tell them, “you just have
to experience it.”
The retreat invites participants to experience God’s unconditional love through a variety
of activities including: prayer,
2013 AWAKENING RETREAT. Students gather in the main chapel of Maryhill Renewal Center on one of the evenings
of the Awakening Retreat held last year. The weekend retreat is open to college-aged men and women.
songs, fellowship, and discussion. The goal of the retreat is to
provide participants with the opportunity to ‘contemplate God’s
role in their lives.”
The cost to attend for the
whole weekend is $30, which
includes two nights in a private
room, all meals, and a t-shirt.
For more information, call
Lynn ray at 318-613-0634 or call
Catsy at 318-445-6424, ext. 221.
History
The first Awakening Retreat
was developed in 1965 by the Diocese of Brooklyn, in the United
States. A team of priests, brothers
and lay people, under the direction of Fr. Douglas L. Brown of
the Brooklyn diocese, made use
of the Cursillo Retreat format,
which has its roots in Ignation
spirituality, but adapted it for older teenagers.
The retreat was immediately
successful. Within three years,
it was adopted in Connecticut,
California, Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Maryland, Mas-
sachusetts, New Hampsire, New
York, Texas, Virginia, Kentucky,
and Washington D.C.
The first Awakening Retreat
in Louisiana was held in 1974
at McNeese State University in
Lake Charles. The chaplain at
the time, now Bishop Sam Jacobs, along with his colleagues
felt the need for a different kind
of retreat. In the words of bishop
Jacobs .”... we felt we had to first
provide them with a ‘conversion’
experience before a ‘catechesis
experience.”
“The Awakening Retreats are
very dear to my heart,” said Lynn,
“because it was during a college
Awakening Retreat in the 80s that
I expereinced an “awakening” of
my own Catholic faith.”
Back in the 80s, Lynn was a
nursing student at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe (now
ULM). She attended an Awakening Retreat at McNeese State
University in Lake Charles.
“The Awakening Retreat I
attended in college, re-awakened
my faith, and set my life on a
completely different course,” she
said. “I returned the next year and
participated as a facilitator for the
retreat. This set me on the path to
do ministry work and later to dothe work I do today as a campus
minister.”
For a list of locations for
upcoming Awakening Retreats
through the fall of 2015, go to
www.awakeningretreat.info.
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OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 19
XXtreme Obstacles -- Are YOU ready for the challenge?
Are you tough enough to
withstand three miles of military
obstacle course challenges?
Prove your athletic ability,
Saturday, Nov. 1 beginning at 7
a.m. on the grounds of St. Frances
Cabrini School.
It’s best to work as a team,
so gather up some friends. But if
you dare, you can go it alone. Just
beware! It’s tough!
According to Liz Hines, curriculum coordinator and director
of development, a military style
obstacle course is currently being
constructed in preparation for the
Nov. 1 event.
“We’ve had people with
bulldozers digging trenches, and
people hauling in tires and bales
of hay for some of the 50 plus obstacle challenges,” said Hines.
Several walls have been
constructed for climbing -- some
with and some without ropes.
There will be “rivers” of water
to cross, water-filled trenches to
crawl through, and lots of ropes
to swing through the trees. Sandwhich that all in with a 1 mile run
before the obstacle course and a 1
mile run after the course.
Only the best will survive.
“It will definitely be tough,”
said Hines. “But it will be fun.
Mud and water will be a big part
of the fun, so it won’t matter if it
happens to rain on that day.”
To register, go to www.
cabrinischool.com. The cost is
$45 per person if you register as
a team; or $50 to register as an individual. Any age can participate,
but anyone under 18 must have
parental consent form signed. All
participants must sign a “death
risk” waiver. All proceeds will
benefit Cabrini School.
10-FT TOWERS TO CLIMB (above) , water-filled trenches and a tire obstacle
course are only a few of the challenges that await the tough participants.
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PAGE 20
CHURCH TODAY
OCTOBER 20, 2014
The end of an era: Maria Von Trapp, RIP
The real story behind ‘The Sound of Music’ is truly a Christian story of faith
By Jerry Newcombe
townhall.com
Earlier this year, an event
happened that did not receive
wide notice. The last of the Von
Trapp Family Singers, the last
of the children---the real ones--died.
Her name was Maria---not to
be confused with the lady played
by Julie Andrews, Maria Augusta
Trapp, who died in 1987. Maria
Von Trapp’s death in February
2014 marks the end of an era.
The Sound of Music deserves
its accolades as the Movie of the
Year (1965) and one of the finest
films ever made. Even my oneyear-old granddaughter is mesmerized by the puppet scene.
As a film it is an icon. One
time the great anti-gambling crusader, Rev. Tom Grey was asked
on 60 Minutes to respond to those
who say gambling is just entertainment. Noting the tragic toll
the “entertainment” of gambling
often takes on its victims, Grey
asked, “Who watches The Sound
of Music and then shoots himself
in the parking lot?”
What’s fascinating about the
real Von Trapp Family is just how
Christian the true story is.
The religious elements come
out to some degree in the movie.
Yet when the movie was marketed for Brazil, instead of the
title we know the movie by, they
decided to call it (in Portuguese)
“The Rebellious Nun.” But Maria
didn’t really rebel per se. She just
discovered that God’s call on her
life was to serve God as a wife
and mother, not in a cloister.
In her 1949 book, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,
Maria Augusta Trapp said of her
marriage to the Captain, Georg
Von Trapp, “I greeted it with a
heart full of happiness and readiness to serve God where He needed me most---wholeheartedly and
cheerfully.”
Although her role expanded
later, Maria the nun was initially
assigned just to tutor Maria, the
daughter of Captain Von Trapp.
Ironically, Maria the little girl
was “of delicate health.” She is
the one who died earlier this year,
after living to be 99, outlasting
them all.
“Children, we have a choice: Either keep the ‘material goods’ we
still have or ‘our faith and our honor.’ If we choose this, we have
to leave.” -- Capt. Georg Von Trapp
MARIA FRANZISKA VON TRAPP, the last of the original Von Trapp family
made famous in the Broadway musical and the film, “The Sound of Music,”
died in February of this year.
Maria didn’t mind the assignment to help the children
(even though there had been 25
tutors and governesses before
her) because she viewed it as temporary: “After all---I don’t belong
here; I am just loaned.” But soon
she came to be appreciated by the
whole family, including the Captain.
Maria was shocked when she
asked Maria Von Trapp, “Don’t
you have an Advent wreath every
year?” The child replied, “No,
we never did. What is it?” So the
nun on loan to help the children
not only brought music to the von
Trapp family, but a Christ-centered Christmas as well.
The Captain later confessed,
“I always feared Christmas more
than any other day. But this year
you have made it very beautiful
for us. Thank you.”
Maria whispered a prayer of
gratitude to Jesus, “I thank You
so much for sending me there.
Please help me to draw them all
closer to You.”
Her prayer was answered.
The Captain said to Maria, “I
wish my children would get thoroughly acquainted with Holy
Scriptures…Let’s start them with
the New Testament, and let’s read
it together every evening until
Easter.”
Maria said of their Biblereading: “It proved to be the
Book of Books, the only one in
the whole world to which a fouryear old girl would listen with enraptured interest while all the phi-
losophers are not yet able to get to
the bottom of its divine wisdom.”
Maria and the Captain got
married in 1927; and the Von
Trapps began performing musically as a family after a priest
friend, Father Wasner, discovered
what talent they had. They became a smash hit.
Meanwhile, after the Nazis took over their native land in
1938, the children told their parents: “In school we are not permitted to sing any religious songs
with the name of Christ or Christmas.”
This was just the tip of the
iceberg. So they had a family
conference, where Captain Von
Trapp said: “Children, we have
the choice now.” Either keep “the
material goods we still have”
or “our faith and our honor. We
can’t have both any more….I’d
rather see us poor, but honest.
If we choose this, then we have
to leave. Do you agree?” They
agreed and got away in time.
On a sad note, they later
learned that their mansion they
had fled back in Salzburg had
been seized by the Nazis, who
turned their chapel into a beer
parlor. Heinrich Himmler himself
lived there and Father Wasner’s
room was turned into a guest bed-
room for Hitler. One day Hitler
had all the servants shot on the
spot because one of them had
hummed a Russian folksong.
The family came to America to tour as a music group. But
initially it did not go well in this
country. Their act was too oriented toward sacred classical music.
They were almost reduced to getting menial jobs unrelated to music just to stay in America. Their
first manager lost money on them
and said, “You will never be a hit
in America. Go back to Europe.”
Said Maria: “Back to Europe, with the Swastika stretching
its black spider legs all over the
map.”
But they got another chance
from a new manager who said,
“…we shall start by changing
your name. Trapp Family Choir
sounds too churchy. I am the
manager of the Trapp Family
Singers.”
Eventually, they settled down
in Vermont and created the Von
Trapp Family Lodge, which still
operates today. So we salute the
end of an era, which proved the
wisdom of the statement made in
the movie: “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a
window.” Or as the elder Maria
says in her book, “God’s will hath
no why.”
THE VON TRAPP FAMILY. The
original Von Trapp Family singers
consisted of seven children: Martina,
Johanna, Hedwig, Werner, Maria,
Agather, and Rupert. But after Maria
and Georg married, they had three
more children. In real life, Maria the
nun was initially assigned just to tutor
Maria, the daughter of Captain Von
Trapp. Ironically, Maria the little girl
was “of delicate health.” She is the
one who died earlier this year, after
living to be 99, outlasting them all.
OCTOBER 20, 2014
CHURCH TODAY
PAGE 21
Left Behind promotes fundamentalist view of rapture theology
By John Mulderig
Catholic News Service
(CNS) -- Catholic viewers
will likely feel left out by “Left
Behind” (Freestyle).
In part, that’s a good thing,
since, in bringing the first in a
series of novels by Tim LaHaye
and Jerry B. Jenkins to the big
screen, director Vic Armstrong
has steered clear of the anti-Catholicism that characterized the
overall saga’s print version.
What remains, however, is a
low-rent drama based on an interpretation of the Apocalypse at
odds with church teaching on the
subject. That, by itself, makes this
inappropriate fare for youngsters
-- or poorly catechized adults for
that matter.
Like a previous versions of
Left Behind, this reboot rests on
Left Behind. Nicolas Cage stars
in a scene from the movie “Left Behind.” (CNS photo/Teddy Smith,
courtesy Stoney Lake Entertainment)
-- and exists to promote -- rapture theology. As portrayed here,
that’s the notion that there will be
stages to the Second Coming of
Christ, the first of which will be
the sudden gathering up to heaven
of all true believers.
Those unfortunate enough to
find themselves in the situation of
the title will then face a period of
tribulation characterized by the
famines and earthquakes Jesus
prophesied in Chapter 24 of St.
Matthew’s Gospel.
Not surprisingly, the spontaneous disappearance of millions
of people -- many of them driving cars or even airplanes at the
time -- triggers all manner of catastrophe. And the low morals of
those rejected by the Lord mean
that shoplifting and other forms
of social chaos are bound to commence tout de suite.
Observing all this is the movie’s trio of main characters: airline pilot Rayford Steele (Nicolas Cage), his daughter, Chloe
(Cassi Thomson), and Chloe’s
newfound crush, famed journalist
Cameron “Buck” Williams (Chad
Michael Murray). Conveniently
for all concerned, Chloe met and
fell for Buck at the airport, just as
he was about to board a Londonbound flight helmed by none other than you-know-who.
Halfway across the ocean,
the rapture kicks in, and panic
breaks out among the unrighteous. Those at the center of
the story can’t say they weren’t
warned, though. Chloe’s mom,
Irene (Lea Thompson), was a
fervent convert who served as a
Christian Cassandra to all around
her.
As for Buck, a woman back
MOVIE
REVIEWS
at the airport made a nuisance of
herself asking if he didn’t recognize the divine plan behind all
those disasters he’d been covering lately. But would he listen? If
he had, there’d be nothing left of
him on earth but his clothes and
wristwatch.
In the end, “Left Behind”
amounts to little more than a
1970s-style disaster movie with
a tedious overlay of misguided
messaging.
The film contains themes requiring a solid grounding in faith.
Rated PG-13.
Charmingly bizarre fable, The Boxtrolls, features impressive 3-D animation
By Joseph McAleer - CNS
(CNS) --“The Boxtrolls”
(Focus), is a charmingly bizarre
urban fable about rich and poor
and things that go bump in the
night.
This 3-D adventure, featuring impressive stop-motion animation, is based on the 2005 children’s book “Here Be Monsters!”
by Alan Snow.
The setting is Victorian
England and the quaint village
of Cheesebridge, marketed as
“A Gouda Place to Live.” Yes,
the residents are obsessed with
dairy products, and the mayor,
Lord Portley-Rind (Jared Harris),
rules the roost from a mansion on
Curds Way (get it?).
His plucky daughter, Winnie (Elle Fanning), longs for attention, but her father only has
eyes for brie and camembert.
Her world is turned upside down
when she discovers “monsters”
roaming the streets at night.
These are the Boxtrolls, aptly
named as they are short of stature and wear recycled cardboard
boxes (which double as hiding
places). Scavengers by nature,
they scour the garbage heaps for
junk which they transform into
magical inventions in their underground world.
Fearing for his cheese, Lord
Portley-Rind accepts an offer from the wicked Archibald
The Boxtrolls. Eggs, voiced by Isaac Hempstead Wright, appears with
other animated characters in the movie “The Boxtrolls.” (CNS photo/Focus)
Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) to root
out and eliminate the Boxtrolls.
In exchange, Snatcher will be
elevated to the ruling class, and
obtain a seat at the hallowed
cheese-tasting table. To under-
score Snatcher’s evil nature, he
sidelines as the drag queen Madame Frou Frou in a desperate attempt to mingle with high society.
Moreover, Snatcher’s assistants, Mr. Trout (Nick Frost) and
Mr. Pickles (Richard Ayoade), offer a running commentary, questioning their boss’s motives and
reminding the audience of the
difference between good and evil.
The Boxtrolls have a bad rap,
because once they allegedly stole
a baby along with the garbage.
Lovingly raised underground, the
boy, named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) after his box outfit,
is now 11 and curious about the
“upper” world.
Rated PG.
PAGE 22
CHURCH TODAY
Cenla Magnificat
Cenla Magnificat, a ministry to Catholic Women, will
host a brunch Oct. 25, from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Merci
Beaucoup in Natchitoches.
The speaker will be Patti Gallagher Mansfield, who
was present at Duquesne University in 1967 when the
Catholic Charismatic Renewal was born. She has written
several books and most recently was mentioned by Pope
Francis during one of his general audiences.
Tickets ($15 per person) are on sale Oct. 13-22 by calling Mary at 318-359-7735, Joan Gahagan, 318-352-8701
(Natchitoches area); Sue Dauzat, 318-240-1256 (Avoyelles Deanery); Servant House, 318-253-7810 (Avoyelles Deanery); Donna Reason, 318-240-3824 (Avoyelles
Deanery); June Giglio, 318-876-3712 (Avoyelles Deanery); and Diane Ardoin, 318-419-1547 (Alexandria area).
Adult Faith Series
Everyone is invited to a 10-week Adult Faith Series
on Jesus Christ: Life and Light Revealed in St. John’s
Gospel. The series, which began Sept. 2, is held at St.
Joseph Church in Marksville on Tuesday evenings from
6:30-7:30 p.m. in the parish office bldg. A Bible (New
American Bible) and Catechism of the Catholic Church
(both may be purchased at the Office) are recommended
for the sessions. To sign up, please call 253-7561. Topics include Oct. 21: The Great Hour; Oct. 28: The Great
Prayer; Nov. 4: Unique Death of Jesus; Nov. 11: Resurrection of Jesus (New Life & Light).
Rachel’s Vineyard
The Rachel’s Vineyard ministry for healing after
abortion is having a retreat on the weekend of Oct. 31 –
Nov. 2 at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center,
5500 St. Mary St., Metairie, LA. The price of the retreat
is $170 (some financial assistance is available, if necessary). This Catholic retreat for healing the pain of abortion is open to everyone whose life has been touched by
abortion. All faiths are welcome. For more information
and to register, contact Melanie Baglow, (504) 889-2431
OCTOBER 20, 2014
DIOCESAN
BRIEFS
or (504) 710-6458, mkbaglow@cox.net or Pam Richard,
(504) 460-9360 or (985) 809-0773, richj504@bellsouth.
net. This retreat is strictly confidential.
Women’s Charismatic Conference
The date for the 2014 Women’s Catholic Charismatic Conference, originally scheduled for Oct. 4, has been
moved to Saturday, Nov. 22 at Maryhill Renewal Center
in Pineville. Registration and a continental breakfast begins at 8 a.m. and the conference begins at 9 a.m. We
will close with a vigil Mass at 4 p.m. The theme of the
conference is “Be Not Afraid.” Our speakers are Aggie
Neck and Tracy Simpson. Conference fee of $50 includes
continental breakfast and lunch. Please contact Diane at
318-419-1547 for more information.
Interested in Monastic Life?
Are you interested in how to live a monastic life without living in a monastery?. Fr. Bob Garrione, parochial
vicar at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral has established online (with the Bishop’s approval) The Monastery of the
Oblates, Cistercian de Guadalupe, a group of lay brothers and sisters from all over the continental US, Canada,
Australia and England, who learn the beauty of a monastic
Benedictine/Cistercian (Trappist) spirituality and how to
apply it to their lives, without moving away to live in a
monastery. For more info, call Fr. Bob at 318-445-1451
ext 11 or email oblcist@gmail.com.
Job Opening
CDA COURT NOTRE DAME 1452. The Catholic Daughters of
America, Court Notre Dame #1452, from Our Lady of Prompt
Succor Parish in Alexandria present a check to Bishop Herzog.
Pictured are (from left) Connie Stemmann, finance secretary;
Joan Lanius, regent; Bishop Herzog, and Elsie Campbell, vice
regent.
(Monday - Friday)
• stuff envelopes for periodic mailouts
• be on a “call list” of volunteers, and called as needed
when there is a need.
• answer the phone during semi-annual (Spring and Fall)
Mariathons for 2-hour shifts
• make a food dish or a dessert for periodic special events
at the station.
• light housekeeping at the studio
• work the sound board for 2-hour shifts on the weekend.
(Requires a little training to do this.)
• pray on the air
• make a 3-5 minute presentation about Radio Maria to
parishes after a weekend Mass
If you think you can volunteer for any of the duties
listed above, please call Carla at 318-561-6145.
Substitute Child Nutrition Technician needed for
the Diocesan Catholic School Cafeteria’s in Avoyelles,
Natchitoches, and Rapides Parish. Applicant must be
drug-free and able to pass a background screening. Current position would be on an as needed basis only, with
possibilities of leading into a permanent full-time position.
Must be available between the hours of 6:00 am and 3:00
pm. M-F. If interested contact the Diocese of Alexandria
Child Nutrition Office at (318) 445-6424 ext. 232.
Volunteer Opportunities -- Radio Maria
Radio Maria is a Catholic radio station located in Alexandria (601 Washington Street).
Volunteers are needed to:
• answer the phone between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
NOTRE DAME SEMINARIANS
Deacon Eddie Martin of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, and Dutch
Voltz and Derek Ducote from the
Diocese of Alexandria cheer on
the LSU tigers.
Knights of Columbus Council 1134 held a prayer service Sept. 11 in front of the St. Joseph Catholic Center for the
13th anniversary of 9-11.
CHURCH TODAY
OCTOBER 20, 2014
PAGE 23
October - November
Monday
Tuesday
20
PRAY FOR FR. P. FAULK
27
PRAY FOR FR. J. GOOTEE
3
Wednesday
21
Adult Faith Series
6:30-7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Church,
Marksville
22
Thursday
Friday
23
24
VIRTUS Training
5:45 p.m.
Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Pineville
Illuminated
Rosary
7:15 p.m.
St. Joseph Church,
Marksville
PRAY FOR FR. J. FERGUSON
28
Adult Faith Series
6:30-7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Church,
Marksville
PRAY FOR FR. B. DESHAUTELLE
29
Saturday
PRAY FOR FR. T. FEY
PRAY FOR FR. A. FIGREDO
30
26
31
PRAY FOR FR. R. GARRIONE
NOVEMBER
1
PRAY FOR FR. W. GEARHEARD
2
Marriage Prep
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Assumption,
Cottonport
Daylight Savings Time ends
St. Frances Cabrini Fest
Rachel’s Vineyard -- Metairie, LA
Awakening Retreat -- Maryhill Renewal Center
PRAY FOR FR. R. GREMILLION
Adult Faith Series
6:30-7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Church,
Marksville
4
PRAY FOR FR. J. HASIEBER
5
PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG
HALLOWEEN
FIRST SATURDAY
ALL SAINTS DAY
ALL SOULS DAY
PRAY FOR MSGR. R. HOPPE
PRAY FOR BISHOP R. HERZOG
PRAY FOR FR. R. HUMPHRIES
6
7
PRAY FOR FR. B. IBE
11
Adult Faith Series
6:30-7:30 p.m.
St. Joseph Church,
Marksville
8
9
Fall Fair -- St. Francis & Anne, Kolin
FIRST FRIDAY
ELECTION DAY
10
25
Cenla Magnificat
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Merci Beaucoups,
Natchitoches
St. Rita Church Fair -- Alexandria
Retrouvaille Weekend -- Maryhill Renewal Center
National Vocations Awareness Week
PDS Workshop -- St. Rita Holy Family Center
PRAY FOR FR. H. IMAMSHAH
Sunday
PRAY FOR FR. K. ISHMAEL
12
PRAY FOR FR. J. KAYALAPARAMBIL
13
PRAY FOR FR. G. KROSFIELD
14
PRAY FOR FR. P. KULIGOWSKI
15
PRAY FOR FR. F. KUMAI
16
VETERANS DAY
PRAY FOR FR. J. KUMBLUMKAL
17
PRAY FOR FR. P. KUNNAMPURAM
18
VIRTUS
6 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Center
Alexandria
PRAY FOR FR. S. KWEBUZA
19
PRAY FOR FR. M. LAIRD
20
PRAY FOR FR. P. LAPALME
21
PRAY FOR FR. R. LEMOINE
22
Women’s Catholic
Charismatic Conference
9:00 a.m.
Maryhill Renewal Center
PRAY FOR FR. R. MATHEWS
23
St. Frances Cabrini Santuary Society Christmas Shop
PRAY FOR FR. L. MELCHER
PRAY FOR FR. A. MESSINA
PRAY FOR FR. J. MICHALCHUK
PRAY FOR FR. K. MICHIELS
PRAY FOR FR. B. MILLER
PRAY FOR FR. C. MORGAN
PRAY FOR FR. C. NAYAK